CSL week 5 previews

It is a mark of how far they have come that high-flying Drumpellier start favourites to beat a side that challenged for the title last season. A midweek win over Stenhousemuir took the league leaders’ winning run to ten games in all competitions and skipper Graeme McLaren said: “We just want to keep the winning streak going for as long as possible. We have already beaten West at our place in the Rowan Cup and hopefully we can cash in on home advantage again.” West, though, travel in high spirits having broken their duck with victory against Stirling last week. Zaheer Mohammed and Gordon Shaw are unavailable for Drumps and are replaced by Chris Keltie and Craig McDonald. West welcome back Dougie Lockhart, Stuart Murray and Ian Young to bolster their batting but Andrew Umeed is unavailable.

Prediction: Home win

APD DUMFRIES v AYR

A vital game for both teams as champions Dumfries bid to bounce back from last week’s shock defeat to Renfrew while Ayr search for an elusive first win of the campaign. Scott Beveridge, the home skipper, has promoted youngster Marcus Richardson for his first start following a half-century for the second team. Andi McElnea, Ayr’s captain, is looking for an improved performance from his bowlers but is pressing no panic buttons. “Results will come if we stick at it and work hard,” he said. Ayr, who draft in the veteran Dougie Johnstone, are looking for Kiwi import Neal Parlane to make another big contribution after falling just short of his first century a week ago.

Prediction: Home win

RENFREW v TUNNOCK’S UDDINGSTON

If anyone doubted whether Renfrew deserved their place in the top flight, the league newcomers gave the perfect riposte a week ago by beating the reigning champions Dumfries. The big games come thick and fast for Saj Majeed’s men since today they host an Uddingston side who are joint top and tipped by many to go on and win the title. Renfrew Majeed shares that view but said: “We will take great confidence from last week’s win but it’s going to be another tough one as Uddingston are up there on merit and could go all the way. But we will give it our best shot and if we play to our potential and get our share of the breaks who knows?” Bryan Clarke, the visiting captain is taking nothing for granted. “They beat us there last season so we’ll need to be at our best if we want to maintain our winning start.” Ryan Murray returns for the hosts while Uddingston are without a trio of key performers in Calum MacLeod, Gavin Main and Scott McKenzie but the wily Mark Townson returns.

Prediction: Away win

STIRLING v PSL TEAM SPORTS CLYDESDALE

Graeme Taylor, the home captain, has set his men one seemingly simple objective – to bat all fifty overs! That, though, may be easier said than done since the win-less Williamfield men are yet to achieve the feat this season. “We need to start competing for full games, not bits of them. Batting our allotted overs for the first time in 2013 would be a great start to that.” Taylor’s men entertain a Clydesdale outfit who are sure to be fired-up following last week’s defeat to Uddingston. Richie Carswell misses out for Stirling while Dale skipper Majid Haq remains on the injured list.

Aberdeenshire suffered their first defeat of the season in last week’s north-east derby but their woes pale compared with those of the reigning national champions who have lost their opening three games of the season and another defeat would surely bring to a premature end any hopes of a successful title defence. Tyler Buchan, the home captain, has challenged his men to bounce back straight away but they must do so without promising youngster Ryan West who has returned to six school exams in Durham. Callum Martin is drafted in. The visitors travel without their skipper, Ewan Chalmers, who is on 12th man duties with Scotland.

Prediction: Home win

ARBROATH v SMRH

Home captain Marc Petrie is confident his men can maintain their 100 per cent CSL Eastern Premier Division record - despite the absence of several key figures and the threat of old warhorse Cedric English. Both sides enjoyed success in the Granite City last week, Arbroath getting the better of Aberdeenshire at Mannofield while the Edinburgh outfit were completing a fine win at the expense of Stoneywood Dyce at PeoplesPark. Petrie observed: "Like us, they will be full of confidence and there is no question of us underestimating them. Obviously Cedric is the most recognised of their players but they have other dangerous performers and we certainly can't afford to let complacency creep in." Calvin Burnett is on international duty, while Ross McLean is involved in trials at DurhamAcademy. Craig Cameron comes in for Bryce Carnegie, with Euan Small deputises for McLean. SMRH make just one change, Martin Speirs replacing Matt Coyle who pulled a hamstring during last week’s win.

Prediction: Home win

CARLTON v HERIOT’S

Carlton showed glimpses of title-winning form in last week’s eight-wicket demolition of champions Watsonian and a further derby success would see the Grange Loan side maintain the pressure on leaders Arbroath. In contrast, Heriot’s lost their capital battle with Grange and are looking for the victory that would rekindle their hopes of mounting a challenge. The home side are without skipper Preston Mommsen but are boosted by the return of Gordon Drummond. Run-scoring has been a formality for Heriot’s with three century-makers in the last two games but their attack is weakened by the absence of Sean Weeraratna.

Prediction: Home win

STONEYWOOD-DYCE v GRANGE

Stuart Coetzer, the Stoneywood-Dyce captain, wants his side to arrest the mini-slump that has seen them lose their last two games. Victory at Heriot’s on the opening day was a significant morale-booster but the Aberdonians have since suffered a reality check particularly with last week’s surprise defeat to SMRH. They are boosted by the return of Michael Leask from Saltires duty. Grange make two changes to the side that beat Heriot’s, Andrew Brock and 17 year-old Duncan Player replacing Giles Holmes and Chris Sole.